It was every motorcycle enthusiast's fervent hope that, having bought the rights to arguably the most famous and charismatic name in motorcycle racing history, Cagiva would not let the MV marque remain dormant for long. MV became part of the Cagiva group in 1991 and sure enough, before the decade's end its unmistakable emblem was once again adorning the flanks one of the world's most fabulous motorcycles - the F4.

Introduced to the public at the 1998 Milan Show, the F4 has already become part of MV legend. In a publicity masterstroke, the factory announced that, most unusually, production would commence with a limited edition run of just 300 very special F4s - the 'Serie Oro' (Gold Series). Production, at the leisurely rate of just three machines per day, commenced late in 1999 at MV's new factory at Cassinetta di Biandronno, Varese.

Designed by Massimo Tamburini, creator of the Ducati 916, the F4 employs a tubular-steel trellis frame, broadly similar to the Ducati's, beneath which hangs the water-cooled double-overhead-camshaft 16-valve engine. The latter was designed by Ferrari and is unique among modern multi-cylinder motorcycle engines in so far as each cylinder's four valves are disposed radially, rather than as opposed pairs. Equipped with a state-of-the-art Weber-Marelli engine management system, this lightweight and compact power unit produces a class leading 135bhp. A cassette-type six-speed gearbox enables ratio changes to be made without splitting the engine.

Like Ferraris, all MVs become collectible classics as soon as they leave the factory gates and none more so than the limited edition models. In 2004, with the new 1,000cc F4 waiting in the wings and production of the 750 winding down, it was decided to release two final limited editions: the F4SPR and F4SR. Introduced first, the F4SPR boasted an engine tuned to produce 146bhp, while other distinguishing features included Marzocchi forks, matt grey livery and a selection of carbon-fibre body parts. The F4SR was essentially the standard F4S (Strada) fitted with the F4SPR's 146bhp engine. 300 of each model were made.

According to the accompanying Swansea V5C, this F4SR was 'registered/used overseas' (the instruction manual is in Italian), and was first registered in the UK on 1st August 2008 and has had two former keepers. Its late owner acquired the MV (previously registered 'ET04 WCK') in August 2010 and had it re-registered as '9642 LJ' on 2nd September of that year. As well as the aforementioned manual and V5C, the machine comes with sundry invoices, assorted re-registration paperwork and four old MoTs (one a duplicate) the most recent of which was issued on 18th April 2012 at 7,858 miles. A possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire one of these exotic hand-built super-bikes that can only become increasingly collectible. An alternative engine management EPROM is included in the sale.

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